Macbeth Themes

Lady Macbeth wanting her husband Macbeth to be king as soon as possible.

• Appearance vs. Reality

• Fate vs. Free Will

• Ambition & Power

• Cruelty & Masculinity

• The Psychology of Guilt

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Macbeth killing Macduff's family.

• Appearance vs. Reality

• Fate vs. Free Will

• Ambition & Power

• Cruelty & Masculinity

• The Psychology of Guilt

"Fair is foul, foul is fair"; the contrast of good and bad.

• Appearance vs. Reality

• Fate vs. Free Will

• Ambition & Power

• Cruelty & Masculinity

• The Psychology of Guilt

Macbeth hearing and repeating "sleep no more" multiple times after he completed his part of the plan.

• Appearance vs. Reality

• Fate vs. Free Will

• Ambition & Power

• Cruelty & Masculinity

• The Psychology of Guilt

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Lady Macbeth sleepwalking, continuously seeming to wash her hands, and admitting to the things she and Macbeth have done.

• Appearances vs. Reality

• Fate vs. Free Will

• Ambition & Power

• Cruelty & Masculinity

• The Psychology of Guilt

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

When Lady Macbeth says to Macbeth "look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it".

• Appearance vs. Reality

• Fate vs. Free Will

• Ambition & Power

• Cruelty & Masculinity

• The Psychology of Guilt

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

After Macbeth is told by the witches of his prophecies (both times), it drives him to go on a "killing spree".

• Appearance vs. Reality

• Fate vs. Free Will

• Ambition & Power

• Cruelty & Masculinity

• The Psychology of Guilt

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Lady Macbeth asking the spirits to "unsex" her and planning the "fatal entrance of Duncan".

• Appearance vs. Reality

• Fate vs. Free Will

• Ambition & Power

• Cruelty & Masculinity

• The Psychology of Guilt

Banquo questioning how Macbeth became king when he says "I fear thou play'dst most foully for it".

• Appearance vs. Reality

• Fate vs. Free Will

• Ambition & Power

• Cruelty & Masculinity

• The Psychology of Guilt

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's actions and decisions after the witches planted the seed in their heads that Macbeth will be king.

• Appearance vs. Reality

• Fate vs. Free Will

• Ambition & Power

• Cruelty & Masculinity

• The Psychology of Guilt

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2